Toddler B2: Three Years Old

We celebrated Stephen's 3rd birthday this past weekend, but his actual birthday was a week ago. We worked hard all year to get him to answer the question "How old are you?" but as a 2 year old, he never quite got it, but when the answer became "I'm 3!" he has no problem answering! I'm hoping a lot of other things click this year too!

Stephen is a happy child with a lot of energy. He loves basketball, climbing, running, playing blocks, construction trucks, garbage trucks, sand boxes, painting, and getting out his toy tools anytime dad is fixing something. He loves bothering his brother and sometimes enjoys playing nicely with him too. The only thing he really dislikes is a nap. He hasn't taken consistent naps since we moved and got bunk beds for the boys.

That's right, he now has big boy bed. This transition didn't go as smoothly as it did for William but we knew that would be the case. This second born of mine doesn't sit or lay still and he doesn't like being told to stay put. When nap time or bedtime rolls around, he doesn't really come out of the room that often, but he does get up to play, open the curtains, sneak under the bed or as of yesterday climb the dresser . . . 

With William in school every day, Stephen and Mom got some one-on-one time this year. And lots of it! We did a lot of trips to the playground and took swimming lessons. He does really well in the water and recently became brave enough to try swimming with a life vest (without mom holding on!) He was a champ and so proud of himself! He isn't crazy about going underwater yet.

He loves going to the zoo and the California Academy of Sciences. He enjoys taking the bus and does much better sitting still than he did a year ago! He also likes getting around via scooter and shows off his balancing skills while zooming down the sidewalk with one foot held up in the air. The stroller is only used occasionally and on really long distance walks. He likes the idea of his balance bike but doesn't quite have the patience to master it yet.

He is an excellent eater and eats a wide variety of foods. At the top of the list of favorites is cake. He was begging to eat his birthday cake the moment it came out of the oven and again two hours before the party started.

He is growing just fine -- he is 37.75 inches tall and weighs 31.5 pounds. He might not be the tallest basketball player one day (although maybe he will be) but he has the best shot of any 3 year old I know. We're making friends with our new neighborhood recreation center staff as we ask to rent a ball every time we come!

His favorite books at the moment are "Lift the Flap Airplanes," "Tonka Trucks," and the "Biscuit" (dog) series from the library. He really loves going to the library now and has a lot more interest in sitting with me for a story. This year he also started singing along with me -- Jesus Loves Me, Amazing Grace and This Little Light of Mine are the most common and in the car he will always request dad's "Of Monsters and Men" CD.

Many of our friends were able to join us for a party on Saturday. We celebrated with a brunch at a nearby playground with basketball themed decorations. We bought Stephen his first Warriors T-shirt that fittingly says "Born to Play." I'm sure he felt loved by all the attention, good food and playtime. I know I did! I love our community and I love excuses like 3-year-old birthdays to get everyone together!

We celebrated Stephen's 3rd birthday this past weekend, but his actual birthday was a week ago. We worked hard all year to get him to answer the question "How old are you?" but as a 2 year old, he never quite got it, but when the answer became "I'm 3!" he has no problem answering! I'm hoping a lot of other things click this year too!

Stephen is a happy child with a lot of energy. He loves basketball, climbing, running, playing blocks, construction trucks, garbage trucks, sand boxes, painting, and getting out his toy tools anytime dad is fixing something. He loves bothering his brother and sometimes enjoys playing nicely with him too. The only thing he really dislikes is a nap. He hasn't taken consistent naps since we moved and got bunk beds for the boys.

That's right, he now has big boy bed. This transition didn't go as smoothly as it did for William but we knew that would be the case. This second born of mine doesn't sit or lay still and he doesn't like being told to stay put. When nap time or bedtime rolls around, he doesn't really come out of the room that often, but he does get up to play, open the curtains, sneak under the bed or as of yesterday climb the dresser . . . 

With William in school every day, Stephen and Mom got some one-on-one time this year. And lots of it! We did a lot of trips to the playground and took swimming lessons. He does really well in the water and recently became brave enough to try swimming with a life vest (without mom holding on!) He was a champ and so proud of himself! He isn't crazy about going underwater yet.

He loves going to the zoo and the California Academy of Sciences. He enjoys taking the bus and does much better sitting still than he did a year ago! He also likes getting around via scooter and shows off his balancing skills while zooming down the sidewalk with one foot held up in the air. The stroller is only used occasionally and on really long distance walks. He likes the idea of his balance bike but doesn't quite have the patience to master it yet.

He is an excellent eater and eats a wide variety of foods. At the top of the list of favorites is cake. He was begging to eat his birthday cake the moment it came out of the oven and again two hours before the party started.

He is growing just fine -- he is 37.75 inches tall and weighs 31.5 pounds. He might not be the tallest basketball player one day (although maybe he will be) but he has the best shot of any 3 year old I know. We're making friends with our new neighborhood recreation center staff as we ask to rent a ball every time we come!

His favorite books at the moment are "Lift the Flap Airplanes," "Tonka Trucks," and the "Biscuit" (dog) series from the library. He really loves going to the library now and has a lot more interest in sitting with me for a story. This year he also started singing along with me -- Jesus Loves Me, Amazing Grace and This Little Light of Mine are the most common and in the car he will always request dad's "Of Monsters and Men" CD.

Many of our friends were able to join us for a party on Saturday. We celebrated with a brunch at a nearby playground with basketball themed decorations. We bought Stephen his first Warriors T-shirt that fittingly says "Born to Play." I'm sure he felt loved by all the attention, good food and playtime. I know I did! I love our community and I love excuses like 3-year-old birthdays to get everyone together!